07/03/2002 |
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From the Press Officer : Richard S. Greenhough |
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Corris Railway - Recent Events & Progress |
The Corris Railway has entered 2002 making excellent progress on a number of fronts. The target of restoring a two-and-a-half mile section of the railway, from Corris to Tan-y-Coed, has been boosted by the granting of a lease to the railway company by the local council, Cyngor Gwynedd, on the section of trackbed from Pont-y-Goedwig to Tan-y-Coed. This gives the railway access to all the original trackbed covered by the railway's plans, with permission to clear undergrowth to allow survey work to be undertaken. The railway is now able to undertake detailed negotiations with the utility firms that have made use of sections of the trackbed since the railway closed in 1948. However, no track can be laid on this section of the line until a Transport & Works Order has been granted.
Construction of the railway's "Tattoo" class steam locomotive, suspended after the closure of Winson Engineering, has now recommenced, with the next stage of the work concentrating on completing the boiler and motion.
The railway's new bogie carriage, being constructed by members in the East Midlands, is making steady progress, with the chassis frame built, the refurbished bogies assembled, and the steelwork for the body frame purchased and assembly under way. Once the steelwork is complete, timber cladding will be fitted to recreate the appearance of the railway's original bogie carriages.
The initial passenger service will run from Corris to the railway's engineering headquarters at Maespoeth, where a new platform has been constructed, with access to a viewing area inside the 1878-built engine shed, where passengers will be given a short talk on the building and the railway.
As a prelude to the recommencement of passenger services, the railway is undertaking Operating Training Weekends, where the new Rule Book - which came into force on 1st February - is explained to volunteers, who subsequently operate trains under instruction from the railway's Officer-in-Charge. These weekends are designed to provide the railway with a nucleus of trained volunteers who will be able to run the initial passenger service, and are open to members of the Corris Railway Society only - however, new members are always welcome !
Photos can be provided on request.
For more information visit our web-site at :
"www.corris.co.uk"
RSG February 2002